Thursday September 16

Sunny days, greens running beautifully (thanks Graham and Co) – and at last, 25 ladies freed from lockdown took to the green for a game of social bowls. 

Ros and her loyal team of selectors back on deck organised one game of triples and four of pairs to start us off – plus there was one Royal Rink – Queen of the Green – with reigning Queen Wendy Ballantyne defending her crown against the challenge from the very talented Helen Atkinson. But Wendy prevailed with a score of 25 – 15 and retains the royal jewels. Marker was Julie Coulter.

In social bowls it was team J. Jeanes, M. Parker who took home the Bowlo Bucks defeating L. Duncan, K. Mason. Runners-up were A. Kelly, J. Pryor d L. McLean, M. Jenner and Consolation went to R. McKibbin, M. Stone d by M Sakac, R. Moore. Also P. Chilcott, C. Ritale d S. Lindsay, J. Button.

In triples – swinger B. Shatte, B. Backshall, M. Abbott d B. Shatte, J. Madden, G. Davis.

At our committee meeting it was decided that the Club Pairs would be starting on Saturday and Sunday September 18-19. Short notice we know, but with all the alterations to the calendar due to lockdown Match Committee had little choice but to get the ball rolling.

Also in the race, the Club Triples entries are now being taken at the Cash Box – closing date is Thursday September 23 – play starts on Thursday October 7.

Our intrepid Match Committee is overworked and underpaid at present trying to sort out the tangle of fitting in all our competitions into a smaller time frame.

There will be more important date changes for your diaries in next week’s column. 

Sadly, our inaugural Blue Pacific Versatility Fours (plus many of our favourite local tournaments) had to be cancelled for this year. We can only hope that next year we can get back to some sense of normality for out bowls calendar with COVID on the back foot.

And on Saturday September 25 the Presidents Cup with mixed teams selected with assistance of our Club President, Ian Lauder. Please check the men’s board to see if you are one of the chosen players. 

We have a milestone birthday coming up for our much-loved Life Member Shirley Drum on October 12 and all members are invited to join Shirley after bowls for her special day.  There will be a celebration cake – and it will be a buy-your-lunch format with names to go on the sheet on our board.

With Christmas fast approaching it’s timely to remind Members that all donations for the hamper will be happily received from now.

Christmas breakup will be on Tuesday December 7. And to all those kind people who purchased tickets in our Coles gift card raffle – this will be drawn at our Christmas party.

Club Pairs – Saturday saw only one game between the two Julies – J. Coulter and J. Beaumont take on relatively new bowlers Barb Backshall and Jane Madden. Even though the Julies cruised to a 22 – 12 win there were some wonderful shots played by the less experienced Barb and Jane – showing promise of becoming a great asset to our Club in the future. 

On Sunday the remainder of the field took to the greens in – again – very gusty conditions.

Scores are as follows: J. Coulter, J. Beaumont d J. Pryor J. Scadden 19 – 16; J. Button, M. Abbott d L. Duncan, C. Ritale 20 – 13; M. Stone, G. Davis d K. Mason, W. Ballantyne 19 – 5; M. Parker, H. Atkinson d J. Abbott, C. Aitvhison 19 – 10.

Next round will be Sunday September 26.

Good to be back with the bowls news – don’t forget more important changes to dates next week.